Reducing Stress Levels through Landscape; A Study of Senior Staff of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

The senior staff members of the Federal University of Technology Minna (F U. T) are placed with the enormous task of directing students towards their future aspirations. The accumulated strain caused by the daily activities carried out by the staff members leaves them tired and stressed. This state of mind could evolve and may cause deep psychological problems like high-blood pressure, sleep deprivation and aggressive or antisocial behaviours. The advancement in medical technology has provided various means to cure most of these ailments associated with stress. Although one does not disregard these orthodox and conventional therapies or remedies, rather one sees a possibility to alleviate stress related problems of senior staff by evoking the senses in an environment whose visible features have been modified through landscaping. Pertinent information collected from the University's academic planning office showed that the staff/student ratio was higher in most departments than the required standards stipulated by the Nigerian Universities commission (N.U.C). This indicates a high probability that senior staff members are overworked. Results obtained in the field work provided interesting results. The responses provided by staff tallied significantly with general data provided by researched sources and the conclusion arrived at shows that introducing a carefully planned landscaped environment designed to incorporate selected plants and features will have restorative effects on staff members by stimulating their emotions positively thereby alleviating the incurred stress levels